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Smart Homes: AI's Big Promise, Bigger Problems

USATuesday, December 23, 2025
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The Promise vs. The Reality

In 2025, AI-powered smart homes were supposed to be a game-changer. Instead, they've become a headache.

Imagine this: You ask your AI assistant to make coffee, and it refuses. This isn't a one-time glitch. It's becoming the norm.

The Idea Behind AI in Smart Homes

The idea behind AI in smart homes was exciting. AI was supposed to make our lives easier. It was supposed to understand us better. But so far, it's done the opposite.

Instead of reliable helpers, we have assistants that can't even turn on the lights consistently.

The Problem

The problem is that the new AI assistants are built differently. They're designed to be more conversational. But this comes at a cost.

  • They're less reliable than the old ones.
  • They struggle with basic tasks.
  • They can't always understand simple commands.

Industry-Wide Issue

This isn't just an issue with one company. It's happening across the board.

  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Apple

They've traded reliability for versatility. But is it worth it?

The Trade-Off

The answer isn't simple.

Pros

  • More capable
  • Understand complex commands
  • Manage routines better

Cons

  • Inconsistent
  • Make mistakes
  • Not as reliable as the old ones

The Solution

The companies are trying to fix these issues. They're using multiple models to balance capabilities. But it's an imperfect solution.

It leads to inconsistency and confusion.

The Big Question

The big question is: Are we willing to wait for the AI to improve? Or are we better off with the old, reliable assistants?

It's a trade-off. And it's one that we all have to make.

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